Water-closet.



PQHAAS.

4 WATER CLOSET. APPLICATION FILED lUNE 1, 191,5.

6 l 9 1 I, I. T- 0 H HM M w 2 a P o 7 W 3 WHM t w P. HA'AS.

I WATER CLOSET. APPLICATION FILED JUNEYI, 191s.

Patented May 30, 1916.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOI? ATTORNEYS PHILIP I-IAAS, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

WATERCLOSET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIPIIAAs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ater-Closets; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention selected by me for purposes of illustration, together with a slight modification thereof and said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawings: Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a water closet 5 and forms the support for the valve.

embodying my invention, parts being indicated in section. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the flushing valve structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the body of the valve being provided with my improved brace arm. Fig. .4. is an enlarged detail view illustrating the valve actuating arm and its engagement with the valve stem. Fig. 5 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1, showing my invention applied to a closet bowl in which the flushing pipe is connected to the bowl at the top thereof instead of at the rear as in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged tail of the brace arm (and adjacent parts) shown in Fig. 5.

In the installation of water closets it is customary in many instances to provide them with flushing valx e mechanism which .is operated by depression of the seat, the seat being held in-a slightly elevated position by means of a spring, which also nor mally holds the valve in closed position, so that the depression of the seat must overcome the more or less powerful tension of the spring. Where earthen-ware bowls are employed the flushing valve is ordinarily connected to an opemng 1n the earthen-ware by what is termed a spud which is clamped to the inner and outer faces of the bowl surrounding the in-let or flushing aperture thereof and the discharge pipe or passage from the valve casing is secured to this spuId t follows, therefore, that where the valve is the clamping nut,

operated by the depression of the seat,- under these conditions, and severe strain 1s exerted upon the spud which in some instances causes a breakage of the earthenware bowl. or a loosening of the connection, and this fact has created in the trade and among the public a prejudice against this type of toilet.

One of the objects of my invention is to overcome this difiiculty absolutely by interposing a brace arm between the valve casing and the pivotal support for the actuating arm for the valve which is usually also the pivotal support for the seat, whereby the strain of the spring will be practically entirelyremoved from the spud, or support for the valve mechanism, and from the point of connection between the same and the earthen-ware bowl, and will be transferred to this brace arm in which opposed forces, exerted substantially longitudinally of said arm will practically neutralize earthenware. In the preferred form of my inventlon I also make this brace arm detachable at one end so that the valve mechanism can be removed for repairs without removing the pivotal support for the seat from the earthen-ware bowl and my invention also contemplates other novel features hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, I have shown the valve applied to a bowl having the flushing aperture located at the rear near the top of the same. In these figures, 1, represents the bowl, which is of well known construction and is provided with the flushing aperture at the point above mentioned into which is fitted the spud, comprising the sleeve, 2, provided, lugs 3, at its inner end to engage the wall of the bowl on the inner side thereof, said sleeve being exteriorly threaded and provided with 4, and washer, 5. The bowl is also provided with a pivoted or hinged seat and I prefer to provide a supporting hinge rod, 6, therefor, which is supported at its ends in sockets, 7, having threaded shanks extending through the top rim of the bowl and secured by a nut, although the seat may be supported in other ways, if desired. The seat is provided in this instance with a bifurcated hinge memher, 8, which is secured by screws or otherwise to the wooden portion, 9, of the seat, the seat hinge member having bearing portions, 10, through which the hinge bar, 6, passes and said hinge member is also provided with an upwardly extending actuating arm or arms, 11, preferably formed integrally therewith. The weoolen portion, 9, or rim of the seat is entirely cut away at the rear as indicated at 12, and the hinge member not only connects the seat to the hinge bar but also braces the separated portions of the wooden rim atthis point.

In the drawings I have shown a flushing valve mechanism provided with a longitudinally movable valve stem which is actuated by the actuating arm, 11, of the seat, and which may be of any desired internal construction.

In the present instance 1 have shown the valve casing as composed of two body members, 20 and 21, which are connected by what is practically a union that is to say the body member 20 is provided with an exterior flange, 22, which is engaged by a clamping nut, 23, having interior threads which engage the exterior threaded portion on the body member, 21, an annular washer or gasket, 24, being inserted between the opposed faces of the body members in order to make a tight oint.

The body member, 21, is provided with a hollow tubular portion or stem, 25, which communicates with the water inlet, 26, to

Which a service pipe may be connected as indicated at 27. The body member, 21, is also provided with an out-let aperture, 28, in this instance interiorly threaded to receive a pipe, 29, which leads in this instance to a closed flushing tank, 30. The hollow stem, 25, is provided on its exterior with a truly cylindrical guiding surface and the forming of the valve casting in two parts facilitates the turning of this stem.

31 represents a hollow body or sleevehaving a guiding engagement with the stem, 25, and provided at the inner end of the sleeve portion with a valve, 32, preferably in the form of a leather or other suitable washer held in place by a screw, for closing the open end of the hollow stem,25.- The valve and stem are provided with means to permit the passage of water between them when the valve sleeve is moved in a direction away from the stem, and in this instance the sleeve is provided with apertures, 33, therein for this purpose. The valve body is also preferably provided with a. flange portion, 34, of greater diameter than the sleeve, the

exterior face of which forms a second valve which is adapted to engage the central portions of the annular washer, 24, the exterior marginal portions of which are clamped between the body members 20 and 21 thereby closing the central aperture through said washer. The body member, 20, is provided with an inwardly extending annular flange portion, 35, which practically constitutes a partition separating the two body portions and also affords a support for the washer, 24, on the face opposite the valve, 34, which valve, therefore, controls the passage be tween said body members through this portion, 35.

The valve body, 31, is provided with a valve stem, 36, which extends through the aperture in the portion, 35, through the body member 20, to the exterior of the valve mechanism where it is provided with an enlarged head, 37, preferably screwed thereon, and provided with a flange portion, 38, the aperture in the end of the body member, 20, through which the stem passes being provided with a stuiiing box and gland, 39, in the usual manner.- The valve stem is also provided with a projecting shoulder, 40, which is engaged by one end of the coil spring 41, the other end of which engages the outer end of the body member, 20, said spring normally holding the in-let valve, 32, firmly upon its valy e seat at the inner end of the hollow stem 25.

' The body member, 20, is provided with an outlet aperture from which extends the flushing pipe or passage, 42, which is connected in any usual or well known manner, in this instance, by an elbow union, 43, with spud, 2, thus supporting the valve casing directly from spud, and its connection with the earthen-ware bowl. Vhen the parts are in this position the flange 38, connected with the stem, 36, lies between and forward of the actuating arms, 11, of the seat hinge member as clearly shown in the drawing.

The valve casing, and in this instance, the body member 20 thereof is provided with a brace arm, 45, for rigidly connecting the valve casing to the support for the actuating arm or arms and preferably at the point of pivoting thereof. This brace arm may be formed in. various ways, and may be permanently attached to either the valve casing or the pivotal support for the actuating arm or both, but I prefer that it shall be detachable at at leastone end so'that in case it is necessaryto remove the valve mechanism for repairs or otherwise it will not be necessary to disturb the pivotal support for the seat,

and the connections between it and the bowl. Thus in the drawings I have shown the brace arm, 45, formed integrally with the valve casing, in this instance the body member, 20, thereof, and projecting forwardly therefrom, and having its forward end pro brace arm. A straight pull on the stem is thus insuredl What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a water closet, the combination With the bowl, of a vertically extending. actuating arm, a pivotal support therefor connected to the bowl, a valve mechanism provided with a flushing discharge pipe, a spud connecting the flushing pipe to the bowl and supporting the valve mechanism, said valve mechanism having an actuatingstem provided with a portion extending into operative relation with said pivoted arm at a point above its pivotal support, a brace arm extending downwardly from the valve casing to said pivotal support to relieve the spud from strain when the actuating arm is actuated and means for operating said actuating arm.

2. In a water closet, the combination with the bowl, of a vertically extending actuating I arm, a pivotal support therefor connected to the bowl, a valve mechanism providedwith a. flushing discharge pipe, a spud connecting the flushing pipe to the bowl and supporting the valve mechanism, said valve mecha nism having an actuating stem provided with a portion extending into operative relation with said pivoted arm at a point above its pivotal support, a brace arm rigidly secured to said valve casing and provided with downwardly extending bifurcated portions to straddle the said pivotal support, for relieving the spud from strain when said actuating arm is operated and means for operat ing said actuating arm, whereby said valve mechanism can be disconnected from the spud and lifted to free said brace arm from said pivotal support.

8. In a water closet the combination with a closet bowl, a valve casing provided with means for operatively connecting it with the bowl, a movable valve in said casing provided with av longitudinally movable stem, and a retracting spring therefor, a hinge bar secured to said bowl, a seat pivotally engaging said hinge bar, and provided with an actuating arm in operative relation with said valve stem and a brace bar rigidly secured to said valve casing and having a. bifurcated portion at its outer end to rigidly but detachably'engage said hinge bar.

4. In a water closet, the combination with the bowl, of a vertically extending actuating arm, a pivotal support therefor connected to the bowl, a valve mechanism provided with a flushing discharge pipe, a spud connecting the flushing pipe to the bowland supporting the valve mechanism, said valve mechanism having an actuating stem provided with a portion extendinginto operative relation with said pivoted arm at a point above its pivotal support, a brace arm extending downwardly from the valve casing to said pivotal support to relieve the spud from strain when the actuating arm is actuated,

and means for operating said actuating arm, sa1d actuating arm having 1ts valve stem a pivotfor said arm, supports for said pivot provided with means for attaching them to the closet bowl, said pivot being located between the point of engagement of said pivoted arm with the, valve stem and the points of attachment of said supports to the bowl, and a thrust-resistingbrace arm connected at one end to the valve casing and having its other end operatively connected with said pivot supports, whereby the strain exerted on the valve casing in actuating the valve stem is transmitted to said pivot supports. V

6. In a water closet the combination with a valve casing,'valve mechanism provided with a longitudinally movable valve stem, and retracting means therefor, of an actuating device for said valve stem including a pivoted arm, and a support therefor, and a brace arm connecting the support for said pivoted arm, with the valve casing, independent of the supporting means for said casing, and means for adjusting said arm longitudinally with respect to one of said parts, a seat having its rim provided with a cut-away portion adjacent to said valve mechanism, and a hinge member secured to said actuating device and connected to said seat rim at opposite sides of said cut-away portion and serving tobrace the seat across the recess formed thereby.

7. In a water closet valve the combination with the bowl, a flushing valve mechanism connected therewith, and provided with a longitudinally -movable' spring actuated valve stem, of a hinged seat having its rim providedwith a cut-away portion adjacent to said valve mechanism, to permit the valve stem to enter the recess formed thereby when the seat is raised, and an actuating arm connected with the seat and extending into operative relation with said valve stem.

8. In a water closet valve the combinationwith the bowl, a flushing valve mechanism connected therewith, and provided with a longitudinally movable spring actuated valve ise vided with a yoke or bifurcated portion, 46, V

which is adapted to embrace rigidly the hinge bar, 6, upon which the actuating arm or arms and the seat are hinged, so that the valve mechanism may be removed without disturbing the hinge bar.

I also prefer to have the actuating arm or arms 11, so constructed that when the valve stem, 86, is in retracted position the said arm. or arms are in substantially vertical position so that when the seat is depressed the movement of the arm or arms, 11, will be forward but not upward and if anything rather downward than upward, so that they will have no effect of prying upwardly on the valve casing and its connection with the bowl, as would otherwise result, but on the contrary will give a direct pull in the direction of the axis of the valve stem, 86.

It will be seen that the spring, 41, holds the valve, 32, closed and the valve, 3&, in open position and also maintains the seat slightly raised above the top of the bowl. When the seat is depressed the valve stem, 36, will be drawn out compressing the spring, 41, opening the inlet valve, 32, and closing the valve, 34:, thereby permitting the passage of water to the tank pipe, 29, and tank, 30. While the parts are in this position it will be noted that the brace arm takes up practically all the strain between the hinge bar, 6,

and the valve casing due to the compression of the spring, 41, and practically neutralizes the opposed forces exerted in opposite directions on the brace arm, 45. There is therefore no un-due strain on the hinge bar, 6, and its connection with the bowl and practically no strain whatever on the supporting devices for the valve mechanism and their connections with the bowl. While the parts are in this position the water will continue to enter until the pressure in the tank balances the pressure in the supply pipe as will be readily understood. When the seat is released the inlet valve, 32, is closed and the valve, 34, is opened thereby permitting the water in the tank to pass to the flushing pipe, 42, and to the bowl in the usual manner. As before stated my invention is not limited to the use of this particular valve mechanism and the saidvalve mechanism is not herein specifically claimed as it forms the subject matter of another application.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a slight modification of my invention in which it is applied to a closet-bowl having the flushing aperture on the upper face thereof. In this case the spud indicated at 2 is located on the upper face of the bowl l and the valve casing is provided with a longer brace arm, 45 extending from the casing to the hinge bar 6, the other parts of the mechanism being exactly as herein before described except that the valve stem, 36 is of slightly greater length to accommodate the changed position of the spud, and the operation will be exactly as herein before described. In this instance, however, the brace arm is detachably and also adjustably connected with the valve casing as best shown in Fig. 6. '3

The rear end of the brace arm is provided with a sleeve portion, 50, which is interiorly screw threaded and the end portion of the valve casing is exteriorly screw threaded to engage the said sleeve so that the brace arm may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the valve mechanism and may also be entirely removed from the casing, if desired. This construction will be found particularly desirable in some instances where it is desirable to slightly vary the relation between the brace arm and the valve casing in order to rigidly connect the valve casing and the hinge bar, 6, without causing any strain on the supporting connection of either, and will be particularly desirable where the valve mechanism is to be applied to closets which have been already installed.

It will be found that in the manufacture of the earthenware bowls there are, of necessity, inequalities of shrinkage and by having the brace arm adjustable, differences, which may be caused by the unequal shrinkages of the earthenware bowls, can be read ily taken up and accommodated. Obviously these brace arms can be made in any desired lengths and may be connected to the valve casings in other ways, if desired.

I have stated that the wooden rim, 9, of the seat is entirely cut away at the rear and connected by the bifurcated hinge member, 8. This is highly important for sanitary reasons and furthermore when the seat is raised as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, this cut away portion accommodates the end of the valve casing or valve stem, the metal hinge member, 8, being so formed as to strike against the head of the valve stem as indicated in Fig. 1, and forms a stop for the seat to hold it in raised position.

It is to be noted that the point of pivoting of the actuating arm is between the levels of the longitudinal axis of the spud and that of the valve mechanism, so that when the actuating arm is operated, as by depressing the seat the pressure is applied at a point between the spud and the valve mechanism and is transmitted to the valve stem directly in line with the axis thereof, and as the brace arm extends from'the valve mechanism downwardly to the pivotalsupport for the actuating arm, whatever strain is exerted in operating the Valve is practically all borne by the pivotal support and its supporting sockets and the spud is thus relieved from strain which if permitted to reach it would be liable to injure the oint or break the porcelain bowl at its connection therewith. The arrangement of the actuating arm is such that its stem engaging portions stem, of a hinged seat having its rim provided with a cut-away portion adjacent to said valve mechanism, to permit the valve stem to enter the recess formed thereby when the seat is raised, and provided with a hinge member having a central portion extending across a portion of said recess, and parts secured to the rim on either side thereof, and an actuating arm connected with said hinge member and extending into operative relation with said valve stem, the central portion of said hinge member being so located as to engage the valve stem when the seat is raised and form a stop for the seat.

9. In a water closet the combination with a valve casing, valve mechanism provided with a longitudinally movable valve stem and retracting means therefor, of a pivoted actuating arm operatively connected with said valve stem and movable in a direction away from said casing to actuate said stem, a pivot for said arm supports for said pivot provided with means for attaching them to the closet bowl, said pivot being located between the point oflengagement of said pivot arm with the valve stem and the points of attachment of said supports to the bowl, and a thrust-resisting brace arm having one end adjustably connected to said casing and the other end provided with a bifurcated portion engaging the said pivot, whereby the strain exerted on the valve casing in actuating the valve stem is transmitted to said pivot supports.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

PHILIP HAAS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). O. 

